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The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Background and Issues

Description: This report discusses the proposed U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) signed November 22, 2006, which has not yet been approved by Congress. It includes an overview of the proposed CFTA and U.S.-Colombia trade, background on Colombia, issues for Congress to consider, Colombia's plan to improve labor rights, and the actions that Colombia has already taken to improve violence, labor, and human rights within the country.
Date: February 14, 2014
Creator: Villarreal, M. Angeles
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Lebanon: Background and U.S. Policy

Description: This report provides an overview of Lebanon and current issues of U.S. interest. It offers background information, analyzes recent developments and key legislative debates, and tracks legislation, U.S. assistance, and recent congressional action.
Date: February 14, 2014
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy

Description: This report discusses the current state of Bahrain, which has undergone substantial political reforms since the late 1990s, but which still suffers from tension between the Shiite majority and the Sunni-led government. It focuses particularly on Bahrain's relationship with Iran and with the United States.
Date: February 14, 2014
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Education Sciences Reform Act

Description: This report discusses the Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA, Title I of P.L. 107-279) that established the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) as an independent research arm of the Department of Education (ED).
Date: February 14, 2014
Creator: Kuenzi, Jeffrey J. & Stoll, Adam
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides an overview of Arctic-related issues for Congress and refers readers to more in-depth CRS reports on specific relevant topics.
Date: February 14, 2014
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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State Government Fiscal Stress and Federal Assistance

Description: This report examines the current status of state fiscal conditions and the role of federal assistance in state budgets. It begins with an overview of state budgeting procedures and then provides budgetary data comparing state fiscal conditions in FY2008 to FY2013. This report concludes with an assessment of the consequences current levels of state fiscal stress may have for the 113th Congress.
Date: February 14, 2014
Creator: Dilger, Robert Jay
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Temporary Protected Status: Current Immigration Policy and Issues

Description: This report is a brief overview of current policies regarding temporatry protected status (TPS), which is relief from removal under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). It includes information about humanitarian migrants, temporary protected status, other blanket forms of relief, nationalities receiving protections, and issues with TPS, as well as recent legislation.
Date: January 14, 2014
Creator: Wasem, Ruth Ellen & Ester, Karma
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): A Legal Analysis

Description: This report provides an overview of the regulatory structure of consumer finance under existing federal law before the Dodd-Frank Act went into effect, and examines arguments for modifying the regime in order to more effectively regulate consumer financial markets. It then analyzes how the CFP Act changes the legal structure, with a focus on the Bureau's organization; the entities and activities that fall (and do not fall) under the Bureau's supervisory, enforcement, and rulemaking authorities;… more
Date: January 14, 2014
Creator: Carpenter, David H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment: Further Performance and Workload Management Improvements Are Needed

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "About half of the almost 17,000 veterans who entered the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program in fiscal year 2003 and received employment-related services were placed in suitable jobs, one-third left the program, and most of the others are still participating. It often took veterans 6 years or more to achieve success, due in part to veterans often … more
Date: January 14, 2014
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Contingency Contracting: State and USAID Made Progress Assessing and Implementing Changes, but Further Actions Needed

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of State (State) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) identified a number of changes needed to improve contract support in overseas contingency operations, but have not completed implementation efforts. As required by the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), both agencies determined that their organizational structures were effective, though State c… more
Date: February 14, 2014
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Petroleum Refining: Industry's Outlook Depends on Market Changes and Key Environmental Regulations

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Stakeholders GAO contacted and information reviewed by GAO identified the following three major changes that have recently affected the domestic petroleum refining industry:"
Date: March 14, 2014
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Maritime Territorial Disputes in East Asia: Issues for Congress

Description: This report presents policy and oversight issues for Congress arising from maritime territorial disputes involving East Asia, East China Sea (ECS), and an additional dispute over whether China has a right under international law to regulate U.S. and other foreign military activities in its maritime Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Date: May 14, 2014
Creator: Dolven, Ben; Manyin, Mark E. & Kan, Shirley A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress on the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), a relatively inexpensive Navy surface combatant equipped with modular "plug-and-fight" mission packages for countering mines, small boats, and diesel-electric submarines, particularly in littoral (i.e., near-shore) waters.
Date: April 14, 2014
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Nuclear Cooperation with Other Countries: A Primer

Description: This report discusses section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act (AEA), the specific requirements of which must be met in order for the United States to engage in civilian nuclear cooperation with other states. The AEA also provides for exemptions to these requirements, export control licensing procedures, and criteria for terminating cooperation.
Date: May 14, 2014
Creator: Kerr, Paul K. & Nikitin, Mary Beth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Crisis in the Central African Republic

Description: This report provides background on the evolving political, security, and humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR), which began when a fractious rebel coalition seized control of the central government in March 2013. The report also describes U.S. policy responses and analyzes possible issues for Congress, including oversight of U.S. humanitarian assistance and support for international stabilization efforts in CAR.
Date: May 14, 2014
Creator: Arieff, Alexis
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S.-Vietnam Economic and Trade Relations: Issues for the 113th Congress

Description: This report examines the bilateral trade issues between United States and Vietnam, discussing their main elements and exploring their potential implications for the 113th Congress.
Date: April 14, 2014
Creator: Manyin, Mark E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Managing for Results: Implementation Approaches Used to Enhance Collaboration in Interagency Groups

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The interagency groups GAO selected and expert practitioners—including those who received the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award—have used a range of approaches to address some of the key considerations for implementing interagency collaborative mechanisms, related to defining outcomes; measuring performance and ensuring accountability; establishing leadership approaches; and using resources, such as… more
Date: February 14, 2014
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Trade Deficit and the Impact of Changing Oil Prices

Description: This report provides an estimate of the initial impact of the changing oil prices on the nation's merchandise trade balance.
Date: March 14, 2014
Creator: Jackson, James K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Privacy Protection for Customer Financial Information

Description: This report discusses federal laws governing consumer financial information held by financial companies, Gramm-Leach-Bliley's privacy provisions, and public and industry reaction.
Date: July 14, 2014
Creator: Murphy, M. Maureen
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Membership of the 113th Congress: A Profile

Description: This report presents a profile of the membership of the 113th Congress (2013-2014). Statistical information is included on selected characteristics of Members, including data on party affiliation, average age, occupation, education, length of congressional service, religious affiliation, gender, ethnicity, foreign births, and military service.
Date: July 14, 2014
Creator: Manning, Jennifer E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Compulsory Licensing of Patented Inventions

Description: The report is about Compulsory Licensing of Patented Inventions. It discusses a number of international agreements to which the United states and its trading partners are signatories, including the Paris convention for the Protection of industrial Property.
Date: January 14, 2014
Creator: Thomas, John R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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